Banks County High School’s 2008 SAT scores dropped from the previous year by 70 points but school system officials are asking for a recalculation on the basis of what they believe to be errors in how the average was compiled.
Chris Erwin
BCHS SAT scores fall during past year
The composite total of 1,410 was short of the previous year’s mark of 1,480. Like the entire nation, Georgia has seen a drop in its SAT scores for the past two years. Georgia’s average composite score for public school students is 1,453. The Banks County School System’s average verbal score is 476, math 472, and writing 462.
The Banks County School System has reported to the College Board and the Georgia Department of Education that the 2008 Banks County School System SAT data has errors and should be recalculated. The system awaits new results from the governing board.
Superintendent Chris Erwin indicated that students who are not in the system were reported in the district’s data.
“The recalculation of the data should dramatically increase the category and composite average scores,” Erwin said. “Regardless, our goal is always to better prepare students for college entrance exams and raise average SAT scores by continuing to focus on improving student achievement in core areas.”
This is the third year that the SAT featured the rigorous writing section, the superintendent said. Previously, the highest score yielded on the test was 1,600 with 800 possible points in each of the two areas (verbal and mathematics). The writing component added another 800 total points to the test for a possible 2,400 high score.
“The SAT is a prerequisite for college entrance,” said BCHS principal Art Wheaton. “Our students can only benefit from having more opportunities to attend college and receive scholarships. The staff and students of Banks County School System are working hard to increase the college and post secondary learning rate.”
Banks officials said it is expected that the results on the SAT and all tests will improve as the state continues the implementation of its more rigorous curriculum and new graduation requirements. The new graduation requirement calls for all students to take four years of mathematics and science, while providing enough flexibility for students to pursue their different areas of interest.
The Banks County School System has reported to the College Board and the Georgia Department of Education that the 2008 Banks County School System SAT data has errors and should be recalculated. The system awaits new results from the governing board.
Superintendent Chris Erwin indicated that students who are not in the system were reported in the district’s data.
“The recalculation of the data should dramatically increase the category and composite average scores,” Erwin said. “Regardless, our goal is always to better prepare students for college entrance exams and raise average SAT scores by continuing to focus on improving student achievement in core areas.”
This is the third year that the SAT featured the rigorous writing section, the superintendent said. Previously, the highest score yielded on the test was 1,600 with 800 possible points in each of the two areas (verbal and mathematics). The writing component added another 800 total points to the test for a possible 2,400 high score.
“The SAT is a prerequisite for college entrance,” said BCHS principal Art Wheaton. “Our students can only benefit from having more opportunities to attend college and receive scholarships. The staff and students of Banks County School System are working hard to increase the college and post secondary learning rate.”
Banks officials said it is expected that the results on the SAT and all tests will improve as the state continues the implementation of its more rigorous curriculum and new graduation requirements. The new graduation requirement calls for all students to take four years of mathematics and science, while providing enough flexibility for students to pursue their different areas of interest.
Now, it appears the parents are passing their ignorance
on to their children in the form of tolerating poor
performance in school. I'm happy that I live here,
now, but, equally happy that I went to school in
DeKalb County.